Tobermory, Bunnahabhain and Deanston distilleries have announced they are donating 10% of all product sales through their online stores to The BEN – in aid of Scottish hospitality industry workers affected by COVID-19.

The BEN is offering social, emotional and financial support to the licensed trade, as the circumstances of hundreds of thousands of hospitality workers continues to change.

As well as its 10% pledge, the three distilleries are also encouraging staff and consumers to pledge their own support to The BEN via their JustGiving page.

“The industry is facing one of the most challenging periods in its history and there are many individuals in our communities who have been severely impacted by the recent lockdown,” says Fraser Thornton, managing director of Distell International. “The BEN is playing a fantastic role in providing direct assistance when its needed most, whether that’s financially, emotionally or socially. Together with their support, we can overcome this.”

At a local level, employees at Deanston distillery, in partnership with Community Action for Deanston and Deanston Support Group, has been providing soup from its café to vulnerable groups and school children in the surrounding community.

The distilleries have also launched engagement activity online to help keep consumers entertained during lockdown – with Bunnahabhain running a live whisky masterclass on International Whisky Day last week for those enjoying a Friday dram from home.